The Latest: Friction at start of Pennsylvania Senate debate

PITTSBURGH - The Latest on the debate between Republican U.S. Pat Toomey and Democrat Katie McGinty in Pennsylvania's race for U.S. Senate (all times local):

1:30 p.m.

The first of two debates in Pennsylvania's hotly contested Senate race has begun with accusations of dishonesty between Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey and Democrat Katie McGinty.

The race could decide whether the GOP retains its Senate majority.

Toomey accused McGinty of having an ethics problem because of grant approvals from a decade ago when she led the state's environmental protection department. McGinty called Toomey the only U.S. Senate candidate who won't say whether he plans to vote for GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.

McGinty countered that Toomey is creating his own storyline about the grants she approved to a non-profit organization that employed her husband. Toomey said he criticizes Trump, but says McGinty won't criticize Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

The debate is being taped at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh and broadcast at 7 p.m.

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1:10 p.m.

The first debate is beginning in a hotly contested Pennsylvania Senate race that could decide whether the GOP hangs onto its Senate majority.

Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey is squaring off against Democratic challenger Katie McGinty on Monday.

The hour-long debate is being taped at 1 p.m. at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh and broadcast at 7 p.m. It will be made available to stations in other media markets.

Differences over national security, tax policy, gun rights, abortion and immigration are prominent issues in the race.

The first-term Toomey is among the Senate's most endangered Republicans, running for re-election in a state where registered Democrats hold a four-to-three advantage over Republicans.

The pair is scheduled to take part in a second and final debate Oct. 24 in Philadelphia. The election is Nov. 8.

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7 a.m.

The first debate is set of a hotly contested Pennsylvania Senate race that could decide whether the GOP hangs onto its Senate majority.

OPINION Editor, This is a busy time of year, but I find it’s also a time of reflection, particularly as January marks the end of my two-year term as Chair and my 10 years serving on the Board of Interior